Klarinet Archive - Posting 000202.txt from 2004/12

From: "Joseph Limacher" <jlimacher@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] [clarinet] Martinu trills
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 05:45:50 -0500

I wonder about the trill signs in the first movement of Martinu's
_Sonatina_. After measure 67 ("Tempo I") there are several separate =
trilled
16th notes. Two different types of trill sign are used: the wavy line =
and
the letters "tr". I have read that the wavy line is often used to =
indicate
a single move from the main note to the upper neighbor and back and that =
the
"tr" sign usually indicates multiple iterations between the main note =
and
the upper neighbor.

I notice that in measure 85 of the third movement, a wavy line is used =
for
one trilled note in the midst of several trilled notes bearing the "tr"
sign. There is a clearly evident purpose for doing so at this point.

Given that both signs are used in the first movement spot, I would =
assume
that some distinction was also intended here. However, the purpose of =
the
distinction is not clear to me. Furthermore, I doubt that I can =
reliably
play multiple iterations on a 16th note at the tempo I'm inclined to =
play
this section.

I wonder: Did Martinu really intend this distinction to be made in the
first movement? Did he intend a much slower tempo for the first =
movement
than is usually taken? Did he compose the work for a clarinetist with
phenomenally fast fingers? Could he have been sloppy notating his =
trills?
Could the publisher (Leduc) bear some responsibility?

Can any of you provide information or insight?

Joseph Limacher
Seattle, WA =20

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